“All the places we had high pressure, we’re flat even seeing a pig now,” he said.

While Mr Scant said leaning out of an R-22 helicopter at “about gum tree height” and trying to shoot pigs with a pump action rifle was “definitely not an easy job”, having a lifetime of knowledge of the area certainly helped.

He communicated with the pilot through a head set and hand signals, and once they’d found fresh signs of the animals they were generally easy to find, after flying a circle or grid pattern.

“(But still) many a time they’ve beaten us. You might be in a helicopter but it’s not invincible. They can have advantages on top of you too,” he said.

“But if you don’t get them this year there’s a good chance you’ll get them next year or the year after.”

The shoot was to have been held at the end of November, but was postponed due to the late sugar cane crushing season.

This state election the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) continues to call for reform to the way governments assist and support farmers before and after natural disasters. More than any other se...